Richard Neal conducts college seminar

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Sunday was critical in the lives of Springfield area families who need help paying for a college education.

For 18 years Congressman Richard Neal of Springfield has conducted these financial aid forums at American international college.

Each parent had good reason to find out all they could for the good of their college bound sons and daughters.

“There seems to be a lot of information out there but it's very confusing and very indirect.
And when you make a little more than the minimum amount and when you make more, you're feeling very disqualified,” Georgette LaFrance-Suarez said.

“There's a lot of emotion tied up financing a college education. The government does ask for some pretty personal information but the federal government has made progress in making the process a whole lot easier,” Linda DaGradi said.

Congressman Neal emphasized as he has in the past how important it is in today's world to get a college education, perhaps even more important than ever.

“If possible and desirable getting through college. There's a substantial increase in one's earning power in the course of a lifetime, again the evidence is overwhelming,” Congressman Richard Neal said.

It's estimated that hundreds of Western Massachusetts college graduates got their education with the help of student loans from the federal government, and it all began by attending a financial aid seminar like this one.